Sapporo Holdings has further integrated its Japanese food arm Pokka Corp by merging the unit with its own non-alcoholic beverage business.
Pokka Sapporo Food & Beverage will be formed from Sapporo Beverage Co and Pokka Corp. The new company is expected to be fully operational by 1 April, the Japanese brewer and drinks maker said on Friday (10 February).
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Sapporo Beverage Co produces soft drinks for the Japanese market, while Japan-based Pokka includes confectionery and foodservice, as well as soft drinks. In November last year, Sapporo announced plans to integrate the two units, in order to “strengthen competitive edge and enhance corporate value under severe market competitions”.
Sapporo said that it is setting up a management integration committee to execute the merger, it said. Last week, Sapporo said that Pokka’s addition to group sales helped it to increase full-year operating profits by 22% on 2010, to JPY18.8bn (US$242m).
